Restoring Exterior Black Plastic?

[NPTR]

I’m sure there are some older threads that touch on this, but since detailing products change / evolve a lot over the years, I wanted to start a new thread for the latest and greatest…

What are you guys using to restore exterior black plastic (mostly matte black, not gloss) that’s a bit sun faded? This particular car spent part of its life in the FL sun, and it’s a 2012, so a good bit of the exterior black plastic has lost its color depth and could use some love. Not a concern on my Shelby, but asking here as this car does have a fair bit of exterior black plastic as well. I want to keep the parts on the car, so spraying anything is not ideal.

A while back, I used to use “Back to Black” which looked good on day 1, but that’s really just a temporary oil type finish that washes off over time…given how time consuming this is going to be (it’s an Audi R8 with a lot of honeycomb style trim) I want to do something a bit longer lasting if possible. Pic below so you can see the type of areas I’ll be applying this…

What’s the latest / greatest product you guys are using for this application? I asked on the R8 forum, but those guys are seemingly useless when it comes to turning a wrench or detailing their own cars…so got zero feedback.

Thank you for your feedback!

-Chris

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[skinnyb]

This is what I have been using on severely faded trim. It restores to black, but highly recommended once it dries and cures, to apply some kind of ceramic topper (or their Over the Top sealer) to seal it in and provide UV protection in the future....

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0CZML4B6B/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_plhdr=t&aaxitk=1ae455834dba073760cd5687fb97e4b0&hsa_cr_id=0&qid=1736335834&sr=1-1-9e67e56a-6f64-441f-a281-df67fc737124&ref_=sbx_be_s_sparkle_lsi4d_asin_0_img&pd_rd_w=Xq5br&content-id=amzn1.sym.8591358d-1345-4efd-9d50-5bd4e69cd942:amzn1.sym.8591358d-1345-4efd-9d50-5bd4e69cd942&pf_rd_p=8591358d-1345-4efd-9d50-5bd4e69cd942&pf_rd_r=JXVPDMM58KB8KBHT1G7N&pd_rd_wg=79xoo&pd_rd_r=ed64116d-f286-4827-9b5e-66da58849b88&th=1

 

[Adam the Lighting Guy]

I recently started using Cerakote wipes. They seem to work quite well on for instance the lower rocker skirts and the front air dam.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07SHJVK4G?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

[coz0502]

I know Chemical Guys has a let's say interesting reputation, but this is the best plastic restore I've ever used. It did an amazing job on my old 2007 F150 which had significantly faded black plastic. It restores it nicely and is not greasy or very shiny. I used it about a month ago and have washed the truck a 2nd time since applying and it still looks great.

 

[Garfy]

I tried this on an old CR-V which has a LOT of black plastic under the doors, etc. and seems to hold up somewhat well.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006NZRAFE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[SCP440]

I will 2nd the Cerakote wipes, the wifes Mini has a lot of plastic that looked terrible but Cerakote has transformed it back to the original new finish and still looks good after 6 months. It is good to find a product that does not need repeated applications to keep it looking good.
The downside is the wipes are quite small so you will need a couple to do a car and there are only 10 in a box.

 

[lo-fi]

If you can remove the piece from the car then liberally soaking in 303 and letting it sit for few hours is quite effective.

 

[526 HRSE]

I used Mother's Back To Black, because "once you go black, you can never go back."

 

[NPTR]

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice guys, super helpful stuff and appreciate this! Detailer buddy of mine also swore by the cerakote wipes so I’ll start there and try the others if needed. Don’t mind paying a premium for the product if it works, because to me, the time / effort in doing it is valuable so making it last / have an impact matters. Thanks again everyone, will report back!!

 

[GrabberBargeCaptain]

I’ve used Gyeon Q2 eco on my wife’s Cx5 with good results. Lasts for a few years. Will use it on the stang when the trim starts to show wear.

 

[NPTR]

I’ve used Gyeon Q2 eco on my wife’s Cx5 with good results. Lasts for a few years. Will use it on the stang when the trim starts to show wear.

Thanks - I may actually apply the Cerakote as preventative measure to the plastic on the Shelby given its protective layer likely prevents wear in the first place. Will see how this goes and report back!

 

[Adam the Lighting Guy]

Thanks - I may actually apply the Cerakote as preventative measure to the plastic on the Shelby given its protective layer likely prevents wear in the first place. Will see how this goes and report back!

The wipes go further than you would think. 1 wipe did the front splitter, and both side skirts with a little remaining.

 

[PVAMT]

I used Ceracote wipes on my 99’ F-250 plastic and apply it once a year and it looks almost new.

 

[skinnyb]

I applied CarPro DLux on the trim on my CX5 Mazda when it was new as a preventative. It has kept it looking really good for almost 3 years now.

 

[SheepDog]

This stuff works pretty well

Meguiars Ultimate Black Plastic Restorer, 12 Fluid Ounces G15812 - Advance Auto Parts

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